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Last-Minute EASY Thanksgiving Side Dishes

There are some Thanksgiving dishes you just don’t mess with. Grandma’s pumpkin pie, mom’s mashed potatoes, Aunt Sue’s stuffing, you get the idea. They’re the Thanksgiving staples deeply rooted in family tradition. But, over the years as our family has grown (and new people have joined our clan) we’ve come to incorporate other non-tradiional dishes to the buffet table. If your Thanksgiving menu looks a little slim consider adding these two dishes to your spread. They are super simple to make and you likely have the ingredients in your kitchen right now. What’s more, they make for wonderful leftovers–that is … Continue reading →

A Thanksgiving Primer

What are you doing today? Right now? If you’re reassuringly sipping your coffee, you must get up, stop reading, and go get ready. Unless of course you enjoy the chaos of the kitchen and all 30 of your guests asking whether or not you need help. Here’s a primer to help you get through the next two days. First–Go Shopping Pull out all of the recipes you’re going to need tomorrow. Now check to make sure you have all of the ingredients. I actually set up a card table and put all of my ingredients out on the table (unless … Continue reading →

Hawaiian Style Thanksgiving Dishes

No, you don’t have to live in Hawaii to create the following recipes. I selected ones that included ingredients that are readily available at markets on “the mainland.” For those of you who do not read my regular blogs (Valorie has been kind enough to allow me to guest blog here) I was born and raised in Hawaii, but left the island paradise nearly two decades ago to attend college in Wisconsin (don’t ask)… and the rest, as they say, is history. However, no matter where I spend Thanksgiving I like to include a bit of home into my feast. … Continue reading →

Spring Break Finger Food Party

Not everyone can afford to jet off to a sunny locale for spring break. In fact, with the economy tanking surveys show that more and more families are planning to stay close to home as Old Man Winter departs. But just because you’re home for the days leading up to Easter, doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the arrival of warmer temperatures. The following simple finger food recipes are ideal to serve at a spring gathering for friends and family, and the best part–you won’t break the bank or your back making them: SPRING BREAK SNACK MIX Ingredients: 2 cans (15 … Continue reading →

Spring Break Menu—Aloha Hawaii

I’m continuing my Spring Break Menu theme today with selections from the string of pearls in the Pacific known as the Hawaiian Islands. Since I was born and raised in the Aloha State I toyed with the idea of sharing some of the authentic Hawaiian recipes I grew up eating, but then I realized how hard it was to get some of the local ingredients, so I opted to go with these quasi-Hawaiian recipes instead. These simple dishes still pack a Hawaiian punch (despite being generic in nature). In addition, they are wonderful party recipes, should you feel the desire … Continue reading →

Spring Break Menu: Tropical Treats

Just because you can’t afford to jet off to the Caribbean this spring doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the ravishing regional cuisine. The following tropical treats can be made in your own kitchen for less than a quarter of what you would pay for a plane ticket to the island retreat. CARIBBEAN STEAK WITH COCONUT RICE Ingredients: 1 flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple Ingredients for Marinade: 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon Caribbean jerk seasoning Ingredients for Coconut Rice: 2 cups water 1 … Continue reading →

Cultural Smorgasbord—-Mexican Rib Eye Steaks and German Brats with a Twist

I grew up in Hawaii, which is well known for its cultural diversity and equally varied cuisines. In the Aloha State it’s not unusual to have a breakfast of Japanese rice, Portuguese sausage and Hawaiian sweetbread; lunch of Filipino Chicken Adobo and Chinese noodles; and dinner consisting of Italian pasta and kalbi (Korean short ribs). As we countdown to Independence Day I thought it would be appropriate to salute our nation’s wonderfully rich cuisine with the following ethnic dishes that can be easily grilled up for a classic Fourth of July picnic. The first recipe features an All-American rib eye … Continue reading →

Super Healthy, Super Exotic Fruits

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Ready for a taste adventure that’s good for you? Apples, bananas, and oranges are tasty and healthy, but you can get many of the same health benefits from more exotic fruits. Fresh figs are chock full of potassium — six figs have nearly 900 milligrams of potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. In fact, six figs have almost twice as much potassium as the average banana does. Figs are also a good source of calcium — a six fig serving has as much calcium as a half a cup of milk. Lychee nuts are an antioxidant bonanza — one … Continue reading →